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She’s been an X-Man, an Avenger, a member of the Fantastic Four, a queen of Wakanda and more, but as the iconic hero Storm celebrates her 50th anniversary in 2025, Marvel might have an even more ambitious role awaiting her: a literal Thunder God.

In the seventh issue of the character’s current comic book series — part of the recent X-Men: From the Ashes line-wide relaunch — Storm will find herself face to face with five different incarnations of other Thunder Gods in the Marvel Universe: Susanoo, Mamaragan, Sango, Chacc, and (of course) the Mighty Thor. It’s part of an ongoing storyline that seeks to redefine and upgrade the character’s profile ahead of her (as yet unannounced but surely inevitable) introduction into the Marvel Cinematic Universe along with the rest of the X-Men.

“Creative giants, Len Wein and Dave Cockrum, changed the Marvel and mutant landscape with Giant-Size X-Men #1. This year, we’ll do the same with Storm #7. Bold words, I know. But that’s because I’ve read the illustrated issue,” writer Murex Ayodele said in a statement from the publisher. “As she steps into this new phase of her life, her role morphs into becoming one with the Marvel Universe as she faces soul-crushing, cosmic labors to protect all we hold dear. But first, a brutal brawl with thunder deities from powerful pantheons.”

“I feel we’re assisting to a Storm renaissance, and I’m honored to join the dream team behind the series for these special issues,” added artist Luciano Vecchio, who designed the new Thunder God characters and will be stepping in to draw #7, giving regular series artist Lucas Werneck a break. “Working with Murewa’s script is a delight, and I love reconnecting with Ororo after drawing her in [2023’s] Resurrection of Magneto.”

Storm #7 is scheduled for an April 9 release — but the character’s actual 50th anniversary comes much sooner than that; Giant-Size X-Men #1, which featured her first ever appearance, was released in February 1975.

Check out a gallery of covers for Storm #7, as well as Vecchio’s design work for the new Gods, below.

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